Steam from right air vent

marosmith · marosmith's Garage

Today I noticed a small amount of steam coming from the passenger air vent in my 2000 Boxster. I couldn't hear anything other then a very slight hiss- although it sounded very slight and could be a normal sound.

Any ideas if this steam is normal? No CEL and the car drove fine, no temperature changed or anuthing else of note.

Dale_K · 08-22-2011, 06:26 AM

Did you have your A/C on? Sometime A/C systems will blow "smoke" when there's something wrong with the air flow or the evaporator coil gets too cold. That's just a guess on my part.

marosmith · marosmith's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale_K

Did you have your A/C on? Sometime A/C systems will blow "smoke" when there's something wrong with the air flow or the evaporator coil gets too cold. That's just a guess on my part.

Yes- I think that's it. I'll turn the AC off and see if that does it.

Is this something that is temporary or should I check the AC system?

Thanks for your help!

Dale_K · 08-22-2011, 01:01 PM

I doubt it's temporary but don't really know. You could check the cabin air filter. If that is holding down the airflow it might be the cause. If that doesn't do it maybe have an automotive A/C shop check it out.

marosmith · marosmith's Garage

I checked the driveway and noticed some coolant leak. None yesterday- but a good bit today. I assume this is all connected. What is the primary cause of a coolant leak like this? A hose?

Dale_K · 08-23-2011, 03:08 AM

Where is the leak - near the right rear wheel? Or up toward the front of the car? If the heater core is leaking up front that could match your symptoms. It turns out the heater core replacement is much easier on a Boxster than a typical car. I don't have a link handy but if you search around you'll be able to find some pictures of the replacement process.

Normally a leaking heater core on any car will create a huge smell of coolant inside the car. You didn't mention any smell so the heater core diagnosis might be wrong.

marosmith · marosmith's Garage

Right rear wheel. Sounds like the radiator cap issue as mine is the bad model. I ordered the new one. You think that would make sense?

marosmith · marosmith's Garage

On my drive today I did not use heater/ac. Still steam developing when the car is stationary after about 15 seconds. I couldn't really smell coolant inside but after I stopped and the steam does have a little coolant smell. Would this be consistent with the bad radiator cap?

Dale_K · 08-23-2011, 08:10 AM

You might as well replace the cap for the rear wheel area leak. It might make the front "smoke" issue worse if you have a leak in the heater core. The new cap will seal better and any other leak will become worse because of the higher pressure within the cooling system. I had a leak near the rear wheel that didn't get fixed with a new cap or new bleeder valve. I eventually tracked it down to the o-rings beneath the bleeder valve housing. But I'd start with a cap. Here's a pic of the o-rings if it helps you.

marosmith · marosmith's Garage

Thanks, the smoke isn't in the front, it's the right passenger vent in the midle of the car. A water pump wouldn't cause that would it?

Thanks for the info on the O-ring, I'll try that if the cap doesn't fix it.

stonedagain · 08-23-2011, 08:54 AM

Could be your heater matrix.

marosmith · marosmith's Garage

If it is the heater core- what would be the difinitive diagnostic to rule that out?

Thanks for all the help everyone.

nosnow4pc · 08-23-2011, 11:27 AM

If it is your heatercore and there is enough of a leak to produce steam you should have a VERY strong antifreeze smell. You might also find a haze of dried coolant on your windsheild if you wash it.

Given that it was "steam" your evaporator probably started leaking refridgerant. I'd check to see if your A/C system has the propper amount of refridgerant. If the refridgerant is low then top it up with a dyed refridgerant to see where the leak is coming from.

If you have to replace the evaporator replace the heatercore and hoses at the same time as it is a big job, the dash has to come out.

marosmith · marosmith's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by nosnow4pc

If it is your heatercore and there is enough of a leak to produce steam you should have a VERY strong antifreeze smell. You might also find a haze of dried coolant on your windsheild if you wash it.

Given that it was "steam" your evaporator probably started leaking refridgerant. I'd check to see if your A/C system has the propper amount of refridgerant. If the refridgerant is low then top it up with a dyed refridgerant to see where the leak is coming from.

If you have to replace the evaporator replace the heatercore and hoses at the same time as it is a big job, the dash has to come out.

Ouch- a big job? Not what you want to hear right after purchasing a car! Are we talking an 8 hour thing by the book?

marosmith · marosmith's Garage

OK, here is an update. Whatever it is it's getting worse.

On the way home tonight amazingly there was no steam- but now it's making a very loud hissing noise, sort of like a screech.

It did wait until after I parked and it again lost some fluid. I checked under the car and there was some near the right wheel- but then some near the left/middle as well.

Soooo, does this sound more like a heater core? Does a heater core make a noise like that?

Again, thanks for the help. I want to diagnose this myself and get the parts cheaper since I just purchased this I need to save money!

Thanks.

nosnow4pc · 08-23-2011, 05:33 PM

Do you mean there is a screach coming from the dash or the engine?

Screaching from the dash I'd look at either the A/C evacuating or the blower motor bearings going south. Does it screach with the A/C on and off? Does it happen when the climate control as at max cold? what about max hot? Is the A/C Cold at the max cold setting? At full cold there should be no coolant flowing through the heater core.

Fluid on the right rear is probably coolant, fluid in the middle can be condensation from the A/C is the fluid in the middle coolant?

You recently purchased the car, how long have you had it? Is there any type of warranty? Do you know if there was any recent work done?

I could be wrong but the coolant leaking from the back is probably not related but a different issue which could be as simple as a bad coolant cap or poor cooling system bleed.

marosmith · marosmith's Garage

The screetching was not related to ac or heater level- it was constant but louder when in gear as opposed to neutral. It has all the maintenance records and all maintenance is current.

marosmith · marosmith's Garage

All the leaking is coolant.

nosnow4pc · 08-23-2011, 08:09 PM

The screeching could be your water pump and if it is leaking enough fluid to pool under the car there isn't much life left in the pump. I'd suggest not driving the car until that is ruled out.

If it were me I'd put the car on ramps or jackstands, pull the belly covers under the car and the top engine cover to locate the leaks. Once the origins of the leaks are located you will have a much easier time figuring out the repair.

marosmith · marosmith's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by nosnow4pc

The screeching could be your water pump and if it is leaking enough fluid to pool under the car there isn't much life left in the pump. I'd suggest not driving the car until that is ruled out.

If it were me I'd put the car on ramps or jackstands, pull the belly covers under the car and the top engine cover to locate the leaks. Once the origins of the leaks are located you will have a much easier time figuring out the repair.

I don't have access to jacks. So you are confirming that a heater core would not make that noise- only the water pump? If it is the water pump is there any sure-fire diagnostic other than checking the leak from the bottom?